Head of New Product Development (NPD) Operations Swansea Wales

Head of New Product Development (NPD)

Location: HQ, Swansea
Department: Innovation / Product Development
Reporting to: Supply Chain Director

Role Overview

The Head of New Product Development will lead the company's innovation strategy and product pipeline, overseeing the development and launch of new products across spirits, RTDs, and future beverage formats.

This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end innovation process, from concept generation and market insight through to factory trials, commercial launch, and post-launch performance.

The successful candidate will work cross-functionally with marketing/brand, supply chain, legal, finance and commercial teams to ensure new products are delivered at pace, at the right cost, and aligned with brand strategy.

This is a hands on leadership role within a fast-growing drinks brand, requiring a combination of creativity, operational knowledge, and strong project management.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Strategy

• Define and lead the company's innovation roadmap and NPD pipeline.
• Identify opportunities for new flavours, limited editions, product formats, and packaging innovations.
• Translate brand and commercial strategy into a structured innovation pipeline.
• Monitor consumer trends, emerging ingredients, and competitor activity within the spirits and RTD markets.

Product Development

• Lead the end-to-end development of new products, from concept through to commercial launch.
• Oversee formulation, flavour development, packaging innovation, and product trials.
• Manage the transition from development to production, ensuring smooth scale up with manufacturing partners.
• Ensure products meet quality, regulatory, and brand standards.

NPD Pipeline & Project Management

• Manage a structured stage gate innovation process from concept to launch.
• Maintain clear project timelines, milestones, and deliverables across multiple NPD projects.
• Coordinate factory trials, packaging approvals, and production readiness.
• Ensure NPD projects are delivered on time and aligned with launch plans.

Cross Functional Leadership

• Work closely with Marketing/Brand to translate creative ideas into viable products.
• Partner with Supply Chain to ensure production feasibility and launch readiness.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to source ingredients, packaging, and new suppliers.
• Support the Commercial team with product knowledge, innovation presentations, and customer discussions.

Costing & Commercial Viability

• Ensure all new products are developed in line with target cost of goods and margin expectations.
• Work with supply chain and finance to validate product costings.
• Identify opportunities to optimise product specifications and packaging costs.

Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Work closely with co packers and production partners to develop and scale new products.
• Lead factory trials and production readiness processes.
• Ensure manufacturing partners meet required standards and timelines.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the NPD team - currently 2 people.
• Ensure clear ownership of projects and accountability for delivery.
• Support the professional development of team members.

Key Deliverables

• Delivery of a structured innovation pipeline aligned with company growth strategy.
• Successful launch of new products and formats into market.
• Efficient NPD processes that enable rapid product development and launch.
• Continuous innovation within flavours, formats, and packaging.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in New Product Development within FMCG, beverages, or spirits.
• Proven experience managing product launches from concept through to production.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and working with co packers.
• Experience managing multiple NPD projects simultaneously.
• Excellent project management and cross functional collaboration skills.
• Commercial awareness with strong understanding of product costing and margin requirements.

Desirable

• Experience within spirits, RTDs, or alcoholic beverage categories.
• Experience launching products in retail and on trade markets.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the alcohol industry.

Personal Attributes

• Creative thinker with a passion for innovation.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Able to work at pace within a fast growing brand.
• Strong communicator and team leader.
• Crisis Management Skills
• Emotional Intelligence
• Comfortable working in a fast paced agile environment
• Commercially minded with strong decision making ability.

Why Join Au Vodka

• High growth FMCG business with global ambition
• Opportunity to help build a billion dollar brand
• Fast paced, creative environment with real ownership
• No corporate red tape - your impact matters

What you'll get:

• Early Finish Fridays 4pm
• Fresh lunches prepared daily by our in house chef
• State of the art office with onsite parking
• Companywide "win together" bonus scheme
• Your birthday off
• Epic launch parties and team events
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

We move fast. We think big. We back our people.

If you're ready to help take a brand from Wales to the world,Au Vodka is the place to be.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.